The Voyages and Works of John Davis, the Navigator

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London: Printed for the Hakluyt Society

Abstract

Englishman John Davis (c. 1550-1605) is described in the introduction of the Hakluyt volume, as a ‘daring’ and ‘scientific’ navigator and ‘skilful pilot’. He is famous for the three voyages he made into the Arctic Sea to locate the Northwest Passage. Despite being unsuccessful, the fact that Davis returned safely with most of the crew still alive was nothing short of a miracle for the time. This ‘globe’ is from the Hakluyt volume featuring Davis’s Seaman’s Secrets – an ‘exact and comprehensive’ treatise of contemporary navigational science. It went through eight editions from 1594 to 1657.